The relationship between the Ministry of Justice and the Bar Associations in Morocco has entered a new phase of escalation, after the Association of Bar Associations announced its intention to intensify its protest movements against the draft law organizing the profession, a step that reflects the depth of the crisis that, according to professionals, necessitates raising fundamental questions about the position of defense within the justice system and its constitutional role in protecting rights and freedoms.
This escalation came directly after the national march organized by thousands of lawyers last Friday in front of the Parliament building in Rabat, a mobilization described within professional circles as a pivotal moment in the course of an open confrontation with the Ministry of Justice.
In a statement following this sit-in, the Association of Bar Associations announced that what happened represents only the beginning of a protest path that is subject to development, pointing out that new forms of escalation may be adopted if what they consider a deadlock in dialogue over the draft law continues.
The professional bodies agree that the proposed legislative text, which was approved by the Council of Government last December, is not only about reorganizing the profession, but also, according to their description, affects the foundations of its independence and the balance within the justice system. Lawyers believe that the draft law in its current form may limit the historical role of defense and redefine the boundaries of the relationship between the lawyer and the judicial institutions in a way that, in their view, does not respond to the spirit of constitutional guarantees related to a fair trial.
The association, in its communication following the march, was keen to highlight the scale of the broad participation witnessed in the protest, noting that thousands of lawyers came from various regions of the kingdom in a scene that reflects, in its words, unprecedented unity within the professional body. It also praised the involvement of various components of the profession, including deans, former presidents, and members of the bodies' councils, considering that this collective mobilization carries a clear message about the level of concern raised by the project within the ranks of lawyers.
At the heart of this escalation, the association adheres to one central demand: the complete withdrawal of the draft law. It believes that any attempt to proceed with reforming the profession without adopting a truly participatory approach will deepen the crisis rather than resolve it. It asserts that the current forms of discussion, as they have been conducted so far, do not reflect, in its view, the spirit of consultation required, nor do they meet the expectations of the professional body.
This position was reinforced during a press conference held by the association in Rabat, where its president, Al-Hussein Ziani, emphasized that the ongoing protest should not be reduced to a narrow professional dispute, but rather concerns deeper issues related to the position of defense within the judicial structure.
He explained that the issue at hand directly affects "the mission of defense, the balance of justice, and the guarantees granted to citizens," affirming that the central role of the lawyer in consolidating the rule of law and justice cannot be subject to review or reduction.
The data presented by the association indicates that the profession is going through a delicate and crucial stage that requires, in its words, a great deal of vigilance and rigor. The battle, as presented in its discourse, is not only about professional organization but also about defending the independence of an institution that considers itself part of the fundamental guarantees for protecting rights and freedoms. From this perspective, the association stressed that the independence of the profession and its constitutional status are "non-negotiable principles."
Paralelamente, los colegios profesionales no ocultaron sus temores ante el continuo silencio gubernamental respecto a sus demandas, advirtiendo que la ignorancia de estas acciones podría conducir a etapas de escalada más severas. Han responsabilizado directamente al gobierno de cualquier posible repercusión en los derechos de los litigantes o en el funcionamiento normal del servicio de justicia, en caso de que continúe lo que han descrito como un estado de "paralización forzada" resultante de las continuas protestas.
En este contexto, la asociación anunció la continuación de la suspensión total de los servicios profesionales, en cumplimiento de las decisiones tomadas anteriormente, en un paso que refleja el paso de la protesta de un nivel de movilización simbólica a la aplicación de presión real sobre el funcionamiento del sistema judicial.
Esta decisión es vista en los círculos legales como un indicio de que la confrontación ha entrado en una etapa más seria, donde la disputa ya no se limita a debates técnicos, sino que se ha convertido en una lucha por la naturaleza y los límites de la reforma.
La Asociación de Colegios de Abogados consideró que la reciente marcha nacional envió mensajes fuertes y claros a todas las partes interesadas, y afirmó que la próxima etapa se determinará en función de la respuesta de las autoridades oficiales a sus demandas. También instó a los abogados a mantener el nivel de movilización y a prepararse para las próximas etapas, cuyos detalles se anunciarán más adelante, en medio de una crisis que parece destinada a prolongarse y que revela una profunda tensión dentro de uno de los sectores más sensibles del sistema de justicia.
The Ministry of Justice presents the project as a step towards modernizing the legal framework of the profession and enhancing the quality of services provided to litigants. However, a large part of the professional body sees it, on the contrary, as an entry point to reduce the margin of independence and reset the balances within the judicial field in a way that could affect the role of defense in protecting rights and freedoms. Between these two differing interpretations, the debate around the text has become political and institutional, touching the core of the vision upon which justice should be based in the next phase.
In this context, the conflict is likely to continue unless deeper and more engaging channels of dialogue are opened between the various parties, especially since the continuation of protests and the suspension of professional services place the judicial system in a sensitive situation where reform stakes intersect with the constraints of daily practice within the courts. Lawyers consider the withdrawal of the project to be the only way to overcome the crisis, while the government, represented by the Minister of Justice, Abdel Latif Wahbi, appears committed to the reform option, which perpetuates a tug-of-war likely to escalate further.
